I was surprised to see that the Midtown Bike Center had reopened after closing in 2020 due to COVID. It’s located in a former railroad trench that’s now a bikeway. Inside, I ordered an Americano (in a real cup) and explored the remodeled space, which will soon include bike sales and repair services.
Category: Americas
AFOL* Inspiration
There’s always something new on our weekly Sunday morning walk: today, LEGO inspiration. There’s going to be some heavy lifting at this University of Minnesota heating plant. *Adult Fan of LEGO.
Zen Box Izakaya
Walked over to our local izakaya, a Japanese bar that also serves food. They had emailed me a $5 discount for my birthday, but I didn’t need an incentive.
Shortcut to Donuts
Knowing great donuts awaited us on the other side was a strong incentive to seek out this “secret” passageway in the Minneapolis North Loop.
Shielding Cyclists from Traffic
Watched this protected bikeway being extended towards our home, still a few blocks away. I appreciate being physically separated from traffic. About 200 miles of on- and off-street bikeways make Minneapolis one of the most bikeable cities in the country.
Retro Building, Retro Recording Format
Spotted this unusual industrial building on my random cycle ride. The curved brick corners suggest that it was built in the 1930s. The name of a company founded in 1931 was displayed above the entrance. Today’s occupant, Noiseland Industries, supplies millions of vinyl records every year, custom-manufactured by a partner in France.
Welcoming the Class of 2027
Cycled through the University of Minnesota past large groups of impossibly young students here for Welcome Week. Classes start next week.
Northrop Auditorium
Coffee and a pastry with a friend at Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnesota, East Bank. Then, we walked through the gorgeous entry hall sharing memories of performances we’d seen.
The Power of Soul
Bettye Lavette sold out the Dakota tonight. We’ve been following her for 20 years. Even at 77, she keeps developing her art.
Finding the Buddha
While cycling along a North Minneapolis residential street, I came across a stupa (the bulbous white structure) and the sitting Buddha in the yard of a house. Elsewhere there were dozens of lotus sculptures and prayer flags. Via Google I learned this is a monastery.